The MZ-RH1 now allows any audio recorded via the analog or optical digital inputs to be uploaded to a PC. Even better, this model will now upload audio from any legacy minidisc, including regular MDs and MDLP-mode discs, provided the audio was recorded from the analog or digital inputs. Audio transferred from a PC via USB to NetMD recorders won’t be uploadable, presumably because of copyright.

It’s too bad that it’s taken Sony more than three years to realize the full potential of the Hi-MD format, but I’m glad to see it happen. And I find it very tempting to add the MZ-RH1 to my stable (perhaps the last one I ever buy?). I have hours of archives of old radio shows I’ve done and other material I’d love to just upload via USB 2.0 to my PC. Sure, I could do it via a real-time dub, but obviously I haven’t done it yet because of the time involved.

To be fair to Sony, my understanding is that at least one of the hurdles against allowing uploads of legacy MDs was technical, since the Hi-MD spec marked a major change. But I’m glad to see Sony overcome it both technologically and philosophically.

3 Responses to New Minidisc Recorder Confirmed, and Even Better than Expected

Great!
I simply love Hi-MDs. I have a MZ-NH700 that is just fantastic. It can record from all sources, and store hours of music, or just uncompressed PCM sound to be uploaded to the PC for great sound…
I can’t live without it!

I’ve had my RH1 for two years now and it is what minidisc should have been from the beginning. I’ve uploaded all my old recordings made in MDLP and 292kbps format and have them on my computer. If I want to edit or transfer them to any other device, I can.

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[…] Without fanfare or any real announcement from Sony, the MZ-RH1 minidisc recorder is now shipping from a variety of sources in North America. This recorder, which may be the last new model ever produced, finally fulfills most of the promise of the minidisc format… a mere fourteen years after MD was first introduced. […]